Liquid silicone molding using medical-grade silicone has become increasingly popular in recent years. Among the most prominent features of this process is that products made from silicon rubber can be manufactured at a high speed. Silicone injection molding is available from a wide range of Silicone Molding companies. Here in this article, we will take a look at the introduction to injected liquid silicone rubber and show you how the process works from beginning to end.

What is silicone molding?

A liquid silicone rubber product has been in use since the late 1970s when it was first developed. Silicone injection molding with silicone rubber has since become the preferred process for thermoplastic applications.

Injection molding of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is used to produce supple, durable components in large quantities. The process requires a number of components, including injectors, meters, supply drums, mixers, nozzles, and mold clamps. It is common to manufacture medical and electronic products using liquid silicone rubber (LSR). As important as the innate properties of a material are the parameters of the process.

Specific manufacturing process

This process is outlined below.

1. The first step is the preparation of the mixture. For a final product that has the desired properties, there are two main components: additives and pigment (fillers, for example). This step involves homogenizing the silicone mixture ingredients in order to be able to incorporate them into a temperature-stabilizing system in order to increase control over silicone temperature (ambient temperature/preheating silicone).
2. It is possible to program and customize liquid silicone molding machines in such a way that they can be programmed to deliver the specific shot size required by the job. In order to align and close the pistons and platens, the temperature, pressure, injection rate, and cycle time must all be adjusted in accordance with the customer’s requirements.
3. Once the mold has reached the proper temperature, it is heated and clamped by the injection silicone molding machine with the appropriate clamping force after setting it. Combined with a machine’s injectors, pumps, and supplies, the mold is both closed and ready for use. After the mold has been sealed, the material is injected within the mold cavity, along with an injection mechanism.
4. During the process of solidifying the liquid silicone rubber, it is cured with heat and pressure. In the event that a complete cycle is performed, the mold will open and either a worker or the machine will remove the part and flash. After this, the mold will be closed and the cycle will be repeated.
5. After the product has been removed from the mold, deflashing, controlling the post-cure, and inspecting the product have to be done after the product is taken out of the mold.
6. The new material needed for preparing different types of parts design must be prepared in the course of the production molding process. If the old silicone is removed, the old silicone from the previous run will remain on the parts, a situation that cannot be tolerated. Depending on the injection mold press used, the cleanup could take several days.

in conclusion

Liquid silicone molding is strongly influenced by the above parameters.  Therefore, all the above factors ought to be optimized to shorten the production cycle while maintaining the highest quality possible.